2016 - A Photographic Year in Review...

As 2016 comes to an end, we take a look back, and see what we, at SNAPePHOTO have accomplished during the last 12 months, and look onward as to what we can aspire towards, in terms of goals for the upcoming year.

As many of you know, 2016 had it's ups & downs.  In Sept I had to undergo a relatively complex shoulder reconstruction, to mend tendons, ligaments and muscle that was damaged in a crash during a sporting event.  Needless to say, we were in awe to see how loyal our clients were, as they continued to give us their respective mandates, and some even pushed back their projects so were the ones to conduct the shoot.  These actions were heartfelt, and didn't go unnoticed.

1. Projects

A total of 197 different projects were accomplished in the past year. A tad short from the previous year, but considering the 2 months off from the surgery, a good year nonetheless.  We've given ourselves a personal goal of 240 projects for 2017.

2.  Blog

Our third full year of keeping a Blog.  It's long, tedious, but well worth the time spent in exposure.

102 new Posts on the SNAPePHOTO Blog! (Up from 92 in 2015).  We thought we could have reached 500,000 Pageviews in 2016, but it'll have to wait for 1 or 2 more posts in early January.

More than 300,000 Hits in the last 12 months!! (up from a mere 110,000 hits in 2015).  That tells us that more people are following us, and taking the time to view our work, post after post.

3.  Website

We managed to keep the website up to date, with a good quantity and variety of our projects, modified the visuals, added a photo sharing/proofing option (that our clients seem to LOVE), and finally a shopping cart section, that we promise to garnish with goodies in 2017!

With 341,074 Page Views, 315,628 Visits & 46,419 Unique Visitors to date, we're more than happy!!  

www.SNAPePHOTO.com

4.  Gear

2016 has been a good year in terms of gear acquisition for us.  Several Canon 1Dx MKII with several CFast cards, the new M5 Mirrorless unit, as well as a few lenses.

5.  Clients

And of course, we're keeping the best for last... Our clients!  2016 has brought us a total of 5 new clients, and, a few of them from various sectors of activity. Old clients came back, as we had not seen them in 2015.  All in all, a really prosperous year, as invoicing went up 22% from the previous year.
Our goal for 2016, our goal will be to continue to satisfy our existing clientel, and try to add on average 1 new client a month.  Hopefully, you will be one of them.

On that note, we wanted to take this opportunity, to wish you all....

HEALTH, HAPPINESS, LOVE & PROSPERITY for 2017!

Toupi & Binou...

Jeudi le 22 Décembre 2016  |  Salle Pierre-Mercure

Toupi & Binou ont accueillis les tout-p'tits sur le tapis rouge, et avais préparé un spectacle haut en couleurs, qui sera présenté jusqu'au 3 Janvier.

Quelques images... ICI

Lien pour achat de billets... ICI

La Voix Junior 2016...

Dimanche le 18 Décembre 2016  | Centre Bell

Tout pres de 20,000 spectateurs on assistés au deux représentations de La Voix Junior, ou les 85 candidats et leurs coach, Marie-Mai, Marc Dupré et Alex Nevsky, y étais comme "participants", pendant que les jeunes jouais les stars sur les planches du Centre Bell.

Le Setlist et quelques images... ICI

Les Productions VIP...

11 Decembre 2016  |  Centre Bell

Plus tot cette semaine, la glace du Centre Bell étais transformé en salle de reception pour le cocktail du Staff Party de Noel du Groupe CH / evenko, le mise au jeu a recu plus de 475 invités, et l'arriere-scene (le fameux "Backstage"), en place de Party.

Rien ne pourrais etre plus approprié pour l'evennement, que d'avoir les reines de glace présente a l'accueille, et les princesses de glace au service du champagne, pour agrémenter l'atmosphere, lors du cocktail sur la glace de nos glorieux.

Les Productions VIP on livré le mandat avec brio, et fait quelques heureux en posant fierement avec les invités. Vous pouvez les réjoindre pour vos propres evennements, a tammy@les productionsvip.com ou (514) 971-8364

Quelques images de la partie cocktail de la soirée... ICI

Fondation evenko - Le Plateau...

Jeudi le 15 Decembre 2016  |  Ecole Le Plateau

La Fondation evenko, qui a pour but d'aider nos jeunes a participer et a faire connaitre leurs talents dans toutes les formes d'arts, a trouvé la maniere la plus originale d'offrir 12 violons et 6 violoncelles, au étudiants de 6ieme année en concentration musique de l'école de musique, Le Plateau.

Qui de mieux pour presenter ces instruments, que Mara Tremblay, qui a elle-meme étudier a cette école, 40ans passé, et que son fils a terminé ces propre études a la meme établissement en 2014.

Quelques images de ce grand geste... ICI

Molson Coors Xmas Skating Session...

Sunday Dec 11th 2016  |  Bell Centre

As tradition would have it, Molson Coors invited their employees, along with family members, to enjoy a skating session on the Bell Center ice, & had plenty to entertain the kids. Santa, gifts, balloon-making clowns, inflatable games, carnival ride, face-painting, and food.

A few select images... HERE

Chromakey Green Screen...

Sunday November 26th 2016  |  SNAPePHOTO Studios

We've always been somewhat reluctant to using a chromakey background, mainly because we felt it had better advantages to those who did video, over stills.  Now that we're attempting to create more composite type renders, we've decided it was time for us to yield to the temptation. 

In this post we'll explain various camera setting, several lighting set-ups, as well as the software plugin used to achieve the desired results.

Lighting

When shooting with a Chromakey background, it's important to consider a few important tips. You should take the time to light the background as evenly as possible (preferably using softboxes), but also to light the subject or model a little more than usual.  Avoid overexposing the background, and ultimately, reducing the casting effect of a reflective greenish spill on the model.

We went ahead and used a 5-light set-up (see diagram below)

ChromaKey Green Screen Backdrop

We used a 9' x 36' long seamless roll, simply because we liked having the option to unroll the length we need, depending whether we'll be shooting portraits or full-length images.  Also, with the seamless, we don't have to worry about wrinkles, that can create shadows, and later becoming a more tedious task in post production.

Software
After comparing the pros & cons of various stand-alone & plug-in type software solutions out there, we opted to go with the PhotoKey 8 Pro.  It had features and ease of use that we thought would fit in nicely with our existing workflow. It is primarily conceived as a standalone software, but also comes with a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CC.

In the upcoming weeks we'll be posting several completed examples, and adding a link on this post for our viewers to see.

Cirque du Soleil - OVO...

Nov 29th - Dec. 4th 2016  |  Bell Centre

A memorizing moment for the entire family, as Ovo stimulates your visuals with stunning scenes & costumes, and taunts your nerves with it's high aerial acrobatics, skills & strength.  A circus not to be missed! 

Ovo, the touring circus production, by Cirque du Soleil, was premiered in Montreal, back in 2009.  Ovo's creative director, Deborah Colker, took inspiration from the world of insects.  The idea for Ovo was all about movement.

A few of our preferred images... HERE

Canon M5...

Tuesday November 29th 2016  |  St-Lin, Que.

Canon finally made available the new M5, mirroless series body, and along with the EF lens adapter, it should become an important part of our arsenal, as we'll be able to shoot in complete silent mode, while being able to use our usual Pro L-Series lenses.  The small body, that will pack a big result.

The Canon EOS M5 is the most enthusiast-friendly EOS M yet. It's a 24MP mirrorless camera built around a Dual Pixel APS-C sensor, giving it depth-aware focus across most of the frame. On top of this it adds a built-in electronic viewfinder, a good number of external controls and a well implemented touchscreen.

Key Specifications

• 24MP Dual Pixel APS-C CMOS Sensor
• 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• 1.62M-dot tilting rear touchscreen
• Electronic video stabilization combines with in-lens IS to give 5-axis IS
• 7 fps continuous shooting (9 fps with focus and exposure locked)
• Wi-Fi with always-connected Bluetooth

In fact it's the implementation of this touchscreen that we're most impressed with. Much like the system developed by Panasonic, the M5 not only lets you use the rear touchscreen to position focus, it also allows its use as a touchpad to move the focus point, when you're shooting through the viewfinder. This, combined with decisive autofocus, should be really significant for both stills and video shooting.

The camera has four dials in total: two main dials on the top of the camera, a dedicated exposure compensation dial and a fourth dial encircling the four-way controller on the back of the camera. This is a much higher level of direct control than offered on the simpler EOS M-series models offered previously, suggesting Canon expects the user to take more hands-on control of the shooting experience.

Les 3 facettes du Centre Bell...

19 Novembre 2016  |  Centre Bell

On ce rend compte cette semaine, que depuis nos debuts au Centre Bell en 2006, ont a le prévilège d'avoir travailler pour les trois (3) facettes de cette grande institution Montrealaise, soit la division Spectacles (evenko), la division LNH (Canadiens de Montreal), et la division Promotions/Publicitées (Effix).

En fait, cette semaine, lors d'un contrat pour Effix, on a réalisé qu'a pareil date en 2006, soit le 19 Novembre, ont étais a notre tout premier mandant au Centre Bell.  Ensuite es venu le Canadien de Montreal le 1 Decembre 2006, et finalement GEG (devenu evenko), le 24 Fevrier 2007.  Bientôt 10ans pour l'ensemble des trois compagnies.

Notre premier concert... Rod Stewart
Notre premier match... Contre Les Maples Leafs de Toronto

Toute une fierté et un honneur comme photographe contractuel.

Quand on aime ce que l'on fait, ce n'est pas un boulot, mais plutot une passion!

Noir & Blanc 2 de Gregory Charles & Marc Hervieux...

Jeudi le 17 Novembre 2016  | Centre Bell

Apres avoir présenté ce spectacle au Cabaret du Casino de Montreal au printemps dernier, le Centre Bell accueil Gregory Charles & Marc Hervieux, afin de présenter Noir & Blanc 2, avec rien de moin que 2,321 choristes.

Le duo a annoncé une autre date, soit le 31 Mars 2017, ou laquelle le duo souhaite pousser la limte d'avantage, en réunisant un chœur de 3,000 personnes.

Quelques images de la soirée... ICI

Billets en vente pour Noir & Blanc 3, le 31 Mars 2017... ICI

Serdy Media - Corporate event...

Tuesday November 16th 2016  |  Serdy Media Offices (Longueuil)

The Serdy Media Group, comprised of ZESTE, evasion, espaces, DOCK619, Instinct Communications & the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec & Montreal, hosted a corporate event at their offices, where their clients, suppliers and business contacts were invited to spend an evening in a beautiful decor, lavished with great food, drinks and a live jazz band.

That being said, it's that time of year again, don't forget to book your photographer, for them to capture great memories of your Xmas parties!

Patrick Beaudry

Cell: (514) 928-8897

Photo Carte de Noel 2016 - evenko...

Mardi le 15 Novembre 2016  |  Centre Bell

C'est dans le cadre de la prise de photo de la Carte de Noel 2016, qu'evenko a réuni ces 75 employé(e)s sur le toit du Centre Bell, le temps de s'amuser comme des p'tit fous!

Un grand nombre d'heures a été dédier a la préparation de ce shoot, autant a l'habillement, le positionnnement de chacune des personnes, mais aussi au graphisme qui sera ajouté a notre image, afin de la rendre des plus magique.

Une coordination de plus impeccable de la part d'evenko.  Un gros merci a ces dernier de nous avoir actroyer ce mandat.  

On a tous tres hate de voir le render finale!

Northern Arena...

Sunday November 13th 2016  |  Bell Centre

Northern Arena is Canada's Largest Esports Tournament organization, bringing to you the best of Esports across Canada with ... MONTREAL LAN FINALS

The growth and development of Esports in Canada has been a long time coming. Major Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver are home to vast grassroots gaming communities that have been waiting for a pinnacle platform to enable Canadian Esports to thrive. “We’re trying to bring eSports into Canada in a way that will foster local talent, while simultaneously being marketable to the more traditional media. We also recognize that eSports has it’s own character and want to keep that intact, while still guiding it forward into the future.” – Carl-Edwin Michel, CEO Michel’s organization, The Canadian League of Gamers (CLG), entered the scene with ‘Northern Arena’, an inaugural event taking place during the 2015 Canadian Video Game Awards. With a $20,000 prize pool Counter Strike: Global Offensive LAN tournament in the major Canadian city of Toronto, heads were sure to turn.

A few images from the evening... HERE

Beaudry is back (and Bionic)...

Sunday November 13th 2016  |  St-Lin-Laurentides, PQ

Two months ago today, I was entering the operation room to undergo a complete shoulder reconstruction, and was extremely weary of the outcome, wondering if I could ever practice the hobbies, sports and most importantly, the work I love so much... Photography.

What was supposed to be and long and difficult rehab period, turned out to be a time of peace, introspection, and revelation.  The wonderful people that surround me, have shown me to what extent they care.  There are too many to name (and I'd be scared to forget someone).  But aside from the medical team of surgeons, nurses, anesthetist, physio-therapists, there were the friends that took time out of their busy schedules, to come assist me on a daily basis. To you I am eternally grateful.

Professionally speaking, I could not have imagined a better scenario.  ALL our clients have continued to either give us work during that time-frame, and those that could, even postponed their projects until I was back on track.  We find ourselves with an overwhelming feeling of appreciation.  To you all, I feel in debt.

To my co-workers that made themselves available, took on more duties and were able to replace me, thanks for the amazing work.

You have all shown me, that a being is no one without his surrounding peeps.

Thank you, and much love!

Beaudry is Back! (and Bionic)

Leonard Cohen dies at age 82...

November 10th 2016  |  Los Angeles, CA

2016 has been a horrific year for the passing of legends, and unfortunately, the tragedy continues.

Leonard Cohen, the hugely influential singer and songwriter whose work spanned nearly 50 years, died at the age of 82. Cohen's label, Sony Music Canada, confirmed his death on the singer's Facebook page. 

"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," the statement read. "We have lost one of music's most revered and prolific visionaries. A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief." A cause of death and exact date of death was not given.

"Unmatched in his creativity, insight and crippling candor, Leonard Cohen was a true visionary whose voice will be sorely missed," his manager Robert Kory wrote in a statement. "I was blessed to call him a friend, and for me to serve that bold artistic spirit firsthand, was a privilege and great gift. He leaves behind a legacy of work that will bring insight, inspiration and healing for generations to come.""My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records," Cohen's son Adam wrote in a statement to Rolling Stone. "He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humor."

A few images... HERE

Vaudreuil-Dorion WWTP aerial footage...

November 6th 2016  |  Vaudreuil-Dorion

With the Waste Water Treatment Facility nearing completion, we were asked to conduct another aerial session, in order to capture the project in it's final stage, prior to winter leaving us with a white blanket.

Here's a render that shows well the fiberglass Odor control system. The sectional Digester Cover, Scrubbers, Ventilation ducts, pump sheds, and exhaust stack.

Halloween 2016...

October 31st 2016

SNAPePHOTO wishes everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!

SIA...

Sunday October 23rd 2016  |  Bell Centre (Montreal)

SIA Furler's performance was nothing less than theatrical at the Bell Centre, as she provided her fans with one of the biggest shows of the year.

A few images... HERE

Photos: Claude Dufresne, SNAPePHOTO

The complete review from the Montreal Gazette... HERE

Charles Aznavour...

21 Octobre 2016  |  Centre Bell

Charles Aznavour, ce doyen tant aimé de 92 ans, avec plus de 83 ans d'experience sur scene, a une fois de plus garni les planches du Centre Bell, avec un setlist bien apprécié de ces fans.

Quelques images... ICI
Photos: Claude Dufresne, SNAPePHOTO

Formula-E Press Conference...

October 21st 2016  |  Hyatt Hotel (Complexe Desjardins)

The FIA and evenko announced during an anticipated press conference, that in the scope of the city's 375th festivities, Montreal well be host to a Formula-E rural race, on July 29th 2017.

A few images... HERE

Photos: Claude Dufresne  |  Vanessa Leclair - SNAPePHOTO

Cinderella...

Jeudi le 18 Octobre 2016  |  Place des Arts (Salle Wilfred Pelletier

Cinderella - Gagnante d’un Tony® Award en 2013, CINDERELLA de RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN, créateurs de The King & I et The Sound of Music, sera présentée pour 8 représentations a la Place des Arts.

Quelques images... ICI

Photos: Michel Couvrette, SNAPePHOTO

Go Habs Go! - Season Opener 2016...

Tuesday October 18th 2016  |  Bell Centre (Montreal)

The Montreal Canadiens greeted VIPs on the reed carpet, as the the team held their first home game of the season, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  (an awesome 4-0 wins for our Habs!

A few red carpet & corporate images from this evening... HERE

Photos: Claude Dufresne & Vanessa Leclair, SNAPePHOTO

Africa 2006 - A blast from the Past...

September 2006  |  Kenya Africa

10 years ago this season, and long before we even considered becoming photographers by profession, we had to opportunity to travel to Kenya, and witness first-hand, the great migration of awesome wildlife through the Serengeti & Masai Mara. Of course we didn't have the knowledge, the extensive gear, nor the skill we have today, but we still managed to capture a few decent shots.

Note that the majority of the images posted on this link, were taken from a moving vehicle, on African roads, and original files were captured in JPG format, thus the lack of post-production flexibility (need I say more?).  So please, be gentle with your comments.

I'm thinking that we should make plans to go back, before Industrialization takes over that pristine part of the world, and some of these majestic animals become extinct.

100+ images from that incredible trip... HERE

If you wish to live the same trip we did, with the same tour organizers, please contact Vincent Bolduc of Espace Select, and mention SNAPePHOTO, for an additional rebate.  www.espaceselect.com

Note: If you would LOVE to go, but feel your imagery skills aren't to par, we'll gladly join you and be your trip photographer!

Photos:  Patrick Beaudry, Tommy Picard & Vincent Bolduc

Drake...

October 7th 2016  | Bell Centre

Although Drake announced earlier this week, that a few tour dates would be postponed due to an ankle injury, Montreal fans were more than happy to be spared from being on that list.

A few images... HERE

We now have a Shopping Cart...

As of October 9th 2016, FORMAT.com (our website platform provider), added a shopping cart feature! 

We're glad to announce that we'll be adding interesting items for you to purchase shortly. Digital Files, Laminated Prints, Gift Certificates, Metal prints, Coffee Mugs, T-Shirts & more!

We hope this will help make transactions easier than ever.

Journée de la Culture...

2 Octobre 2016  |  Centre Bell

Dans le cadre de la journée de la culture, le Centre Bell étais en mode "porte ouverte", afin d'offrir des visites guidées a ceux qui voulais avoir une meilleur idées du déroulement complet entourant un spectacle. Des quais de déchargement, au montage de la scene, le fameux backstage, les loges d'artistes, la "catering", ainsi que plusieurs fait cocasses.

Pluto, the Intelligent Remote Trigger...

Those who know me, are aware that I'm a sucker for gadgets.  Well, this one is the icing on the cake! A multi-fonction wireless remote that enables you to capture images otherwise nearly impossible by hand.

Pluto Trigger is high-speed and smart camera trigger. It is controlled by smartphone app over Bluetooth, and features remote shooting, time-lapse, HDR, video recording, lightning photography, high-speed trigger (sound and laser), smart triggers (smile, motion and vibration), camera trap (infrared sensor), droplet collision and more, ...24 modes in total.

Promo Video... HERE
How it works & what it can do... HERE

Website... HERE

Vaudreuil-Dorion Aerial Footage...

September 27th 20916  | Vaudreuil-Dorion

The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion is in the midst of completing the start-up of it's new multi-million dollar wastewater treatment facility, and requested aerial images of the odor control system. 

Plastiques PV fabricated the 50' diameter cover, the two (2) scrubbers, 660' of 42"/48" diameter ducting, as well as the two (2) FRP shelters.

A few images... HERE

Canada's Walk of Fame honors Corey Hart

September 27th 2016  |  Toronto, Ontario

Canada's Walk of Fame

We were recently made aware that, on Oct. 6th 2016, Corey Hart will be inducted in Canada's Walk of Fame, and have his star in the streets of Toronto.

We're proud to have our images from Corey's last concert in Montreal, used by the CWOF committee, during the presentation of the award. 

Congratulations Corey!

SRA Motocross property...

September 25th 2016  |  Saint-Roch-de-l'Achigan, Que.

We were recently asked to conduct aerial footage over the SRA Motocross property, in view of eventually presenting the City a commercial real-estate project.

If like us, you're an avid MX rider, have no fear, this project won't be until a little while still.  You can anticipate your 2017 season with peace of mind.

Global Citizen...

17 Septembre 2017  |  Bell Centre

...is a social action platform, for a global generation, that wants to solve the world's biggest challenges.

On their platform, you can learn about issues, take action on what matters most, and join a community committed to social change.

The cause believes it can end extreme poverty by 2030, because of actions of Global Citizens across the world.

On September 17th 2016, Global Citizen was at the Bell Center.  Our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Bill Gates of Microsoft, and a handful of artists, such as Usher, Half Moon Run, Grimes, Metric, etc..., raised awareness in their own way.

A few images from the evening... HERE
Photos: Claude Dufresne, SNAPePHOTO

Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal...

11 Septembre 2016  |  Ville de Montreal

Le Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal, un evennement annuel a ne pas manquer!

Une capsule Video et nos meilleurs photos tiré de notre topo... ICI

L'information complete de l'evennement... ICI

Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec...

9 Septembre 2016  |  Ville de Quebec

Le Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec a vue une fin de course des plus mémorable, avec une victoire des plus serré de Peter Sagan.

Notre compilation des meilleurs photos tiré de notre topo... ICI

L'information complete de l'evennement... ICI